Saturday, 23 February 2019

(Reuters) - President Muhammadu Buhari and his main
challenger, businessman Atiku Abubakar, cast their ballots in Nigeria’s
presidential election on Saturday as voting began after a week’s delay in
Africa’s biggest economic power.

Analysts say the vote is too close to call, with the
outcome set to hinge on which man voters most trust to revamp an economy still
struggling to recover from a 2016 recession.

Buhari, a former military ruler who was later elected
president, is seeking a second term in charge of Africa’s most populous nation
and top crude producer. Atiku, a former vice president, has pledged to expand
the role of the private sector.

The two candidates lead a field of more than 70
challengers.

Last Saturday, the election was postponed around five hours
before polling stations were due to open and there are concerns that the week’s
delay might hurt turnout.

The electoral commission blamed logistical factors for last
week’s delay and denied political pressure was behind the decision.
Presidential elections in 2011 and 2015 were also delayed over logistics and
security concerns.

Buhari, who voted in his hometown of Daura in the northern
state of Katsina, said “I will congratulate myself” when asked by reporters if
he would congratulate his rival, should his rival win the election.

Atiku later cast his ballot in the eastern Adamawa state. “I
look forward to a successful transition,” he told reporters shortly after
voting.

Several polling stations across the country were, however,
slow to open, Reuters witnesses said. The country has 72.8 million eligible
voters.

“I’ve been to 10 polling units today. I’ve been redirected
many times,” said Victor Kanoba a voter in Lagos.

“This was somewhat expected given the logistical challenges
of getting all of the materials to the polls in time for opening at 8 am,” John
Tomaszewski, an observer with the joint U.S. National Democratic Institute and
International Republican Institute delegation, said referring to the delays.

“This will be something to watch throughout the day.”

In the capital Abuja, Chukwunwike Ogbuani, a lawyer, said
he was worried by the delay in opening polling stations.

“This polling booth they say has about 20,000 registered
voters... if there is at least up to 50 to 60 percent turnout it will be
difficult to finish in a day. I don’t see everybody that is here voting within
the stipulated time.”

In the country’s northeast, where insurgent groups like
Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have waged a decade-long war,
blasts were heard in the city of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, said
Reuters witnesses. Boko Haram had warned people not to vote.

“We have along with our wives and children and hundreds of
others fled. We are right now running and hiding in the bushes,” said Geidam
resident Ibrahim Gobi, speaking by phone.

Police said in a statement that there was no attack on any
part of Maiduguri.

Security sources told Reuters that militants had struck at
parts of the city and a Reuters witness said he had heard gun shots and
Nigerian air force jets were flying overhead.

Elections did not start until about 8:30 am in most polling
stations in Maiduguri, with voters saying the delay was caused by late arrival
of election officers.

“Many of us have been here since 7:30am but did not see the
election officers until 8:15am,” Abba Mustapha said at Shehuri North ward in
Maiduguri.